Extended high-frequency audiometry in subjects exposed to occupational noise.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing in a population of industrial workers exposed to occupational noise by using both conventional and extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry, and to compare our results with the findings from a control group.


METHODS
A total of 139 industry workers exposed to noise were examined over a period of two years and 32 healthy subjects were used as controls. Conventional audiometry in the frequency range 0.25-8 kHz and EHF audiometry in the frequency range 9-20 kHz were performed.


RESULTS
Thresholds in the noise-exposed group were higher than in the control group for both standard and extended high frequencies, but variability was greater in EHF. Larger differences were found in the 4,000-18,000 Hz frequency region, and especially in the 12,500-18,000 frequency zone. A statistically significant correlation between the elevation of puretone thresholds and time of exposure was found across all frequencies (from 250 to 20,000 Hz), with the exception of 10,000 Hz.


CONCLUSIONS
EHF audiometry is a useful adjunct to conventional audiometry in the audiological assessment of subjects exposed to occupational noise. This test performs well in the frequency range 12,500-18,000 Hz, but there is greater variability in the results compared with conventional audiometry.
Korres
G S
GS
Ear, Nose and Throat Department, National University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Greece.
Balatsouras
D G
DG
Tzagaroulakis
A
A
Kandiloros
D
D
Ferekidis
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001299:Audiometry / Q000379:methods*; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult